Best Reviews 2019

Smartphones

Once you step down from the absolute top end of the market, under $800, the OnePlus 7 Pro is the best phone you can buy for the money. It's an exceptional phone overall that marries great hardware with a full spec sheet and excellent performance through its simple software. It draws on strengths from the history of OnePlus phones, but steps up the hardware and display quality to make it a competitor at any price.

The Motorola Moto G7 currently offers the best combination of performance, features, and value. It overshadows the competition with its wide availability, fast performance, and support for nearly every network in the world, beating out a number of rivals from Nokia and Honor. If you're after the best photography for the lowest cost, however, look no further than the Pixel 3a.

PUBG Mobile is a graphics-intensive game that demands a powerful phone, and in 2019 one of the latest and fastest phones you can buy is the OnePlus 7 Pro. Not only is it a great phone for gaming, it also includes some of the most advanced smartphone features for those who love to live on the bleeding edge.

In a crowded world with dozens of great Android phone choices, Samsung stands above the rest with the Galaxy S10+. Samsung's latest incorporates all of the features people want, with very few compromises or shortcomings. The Google Pixel 3 XL provides an interesting option with simpler software and a better camera, while the Huawei P30 Pro challenges the GS10+ outside of the U.S. and Motorola gets the basics done for less with the Moto G7.

AT&T is one of the most popular carriers in the United States, and unsurprisingly, this means it sells a plethora of excellent Android phones to give customers as much choice as possible when shopping for their next handset. If you're a little overwhelmed by all of the choices and want some help determining which AT&T phone is the best for you, you've come to the right place.

The Google Pixel 3 (and 3 XL) is the best Android phone when it comes to security. Google builds its phones to be secure from the start, and you get monthly security patches to guarantee that you won't be left behind on future exploits. Three years of guaranteed updates will let you use your phone knowing you'll be up to date for what is likely the life of the phone.

If you're looking to root your phone and get started with custom ROMs, the OnePlus 6T is a great device to start exploring. OnePlus makes it easy to unlock the bootloader on its phones, which paves way for installing custom software that differs wildly from what you get with OxygenOS.

With the Razer Phone 2, Razer has officially claimed the crown for the best Android gaming phone… for the time being, at least. Razer brought a lot of interesting concepts to the table with its first Razer Phone, but it missed the mark in a lot of fundamental ways that made it hard to recommend over more reliable options. The Razer Phone 2 addresses most of what held the first phone back and adds in cool flourishes like the RGB Chroma logo on the back. It's a legitimately great phone and the time is right to buy one if you've been interested in the past

Huawei has shown over the years that it knows how to build great phones, and the manufacturer cranked things up a notch over the last 12 months. Whether we're talking about the fantastic Mate 20 Pro or the upcoming foldable Mate X, Huawei is making some of the most evocative phones in the market today. These are the best Huawei phones in 2019.

The Samsung Galaxy S10+, Samsung's latest flagship, is also the best big phone you can buy in 2019. The 6.4-inch AMOLED display means you have room to do just about anything, and with even smaller bezels than before, you can see more on the screen at once. Add that together with top-of-the-line specs, triple rear cameras, and wide availability, and you're in for something special.

When your budget maxes out at $400, the Google Pixel 3a is the best phone you can get. That's because it offers the same core experience as the higher-end Pixel 3, which costs nearly twice as much. You get the same software and features, and the exact same camera experience. The only shortcomings come in the hardware and a couple of the specs — a fine trade-off to save hundreds of dollars.

The Samsung Galaxy S10+ is one of those phones that can appeal to just about anyone. It has the best display you'll find on any smartphone, top-of-the-line performance, triple rear cameras, and Samsung's best software experience to-date. Add that together with a stunning design and downright impressive battery life, and you'll quickly see why it's easily worth the $1000 asking price.

ASUS had a resurgent 2018, with the Taiwanese manufacturer hitting its stride in the affordable flagship space with the ZenFone 5Z. ASUS also took the fight to Xiaomi in India's budget segment with the ZenFone Max Pro series, which offers astounding value for $200.

Fortnite is an intense game that needs a pretty capable Android phone run it properly. A multiplayer match involving up to 100 unique players is bound to be a bit glitchy at times, but for the
As of November 2018, the Galaxy Note 8 offers the best value for .

The Samsung Galaxy S9+ builds on years of great Samsung phones. It has a beautiful metal and glass exterior, is filled with all of the top-end specs you want in a phone today, and has a really good camera system. There are tons of extra features to be had, and the price is manageable for many people.

The Samsung Galaxy S9+ builds on years of Samsung's excellence. It starts with a gorgeously sculpted metal-and-glass waterproof body sporting dual speakers, a headphone jack and an SD card slot. Inside are the latest and greatest specs, plus a standout pair of cameras on the back and the best display on the market around front.

MetroPCS gives you the opportunity to save some money when buying a phone without a contract, though most of its phones are mid- to low-end when considering specs. You don't have to aim low, however: MetroPCS does offer some high-end devices, two of which are featured on this list. Coupled with its affordable plans, you might not be able to pass them up.

Right now, the best smartwatch for Android users is the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active. It's optimized for Samsung phones but runs well on all Android devices and has all the smartwatch and fitness features you'd expect. It's also compact and lightweight, and has very good battery life. But if you're not into that one, the good news is that there are so many other amazing options from Fossil to Garmin to Fitbit and more.

If you're looking for a smartwatch that delivers powerful fitness tools, a great design, and won't hurt the wallet too much, look no further than the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active. It has a stunning OLED display, built-in GPS, full waterproofing, and even NFC for mobile payments with Samsung Pay. It's as fully-featured of a smartwatch and fitness tracker that you'll find, plus it comes in at a price most people will be quite happy with.

When looking at Samsung's range of wearables, for most, the Gear Fit2 Pro is its best overall. This slim-screened companion checks all of the boxes for fitness tracking, with the sensors and software capable of following everything from your everyday movements to running, gym workouts, and swimming.

When you're looking for an awesome 4K TV for your PlayStation 4 Pro you need to be looking for a few specific features: excellent screen quality, high dynamic range (HDR), and a good price. The LG ThinQ OLED ticks all of these boxes and then gives you lots more smart functionality thrown in for good measure.

In 2019, when smartphones are slowly but surely getting rid of the 3.5mm audio jack from smartphones and tablets, users are turning to wireless as the next viable option. Ironically, as the company that still retains the headphone jack in their flagship smartphones, Samsung currently builds the best truly wireless earbuds for Android devices. Our best overall pick is the Samsung Galaxy Buds for their superb battery life, wireless charging case, and excellent sound quality.

Virtual reality, or VR, is a tool that is well-loved in the world of technology. Some VR headsets are used for playing video games, while others are used for creating them. People use VR headsets to watch TV, Netflixm YouTube, or browse the internet. Amazingly enough, some headsets are used for all of these things. However, the one we believe to be the best VR headset is the Oculus Quest, an all-in-one wireless gaming headset.

While the latest Samsung Gear VR headsets come with a handy controller, you may still get more out of your gaming experience with a full gamepad. The Stratus Duo is the latest Android controller released by SteelSeries and delivers top build quality and comfort which are important when you're playing with your eyes covered. SteelSeries actually has two controllers featured on this list, but ultimately the Stratus Duo is the best option for most people because it does more without requiring AA batteries.

Google bundles a pair of USB-C earbuds in the box with every Pixel 3 and 3 XL purchase, and the sound quality on offer is pretty decent, all things considered. However, if you're looking for something with a bit more oomph, the Libratone Q Adapt would be our recommendation.

Much like Xerox and Velcro, the Kindle brand name is now synonymous with e-readers. Amazon not only dominated hardware sales over the last decade, but it also managed to build the most comprehensive e-book catalog in the world. The new Kindle Paperwhite is a great starting point if you're looking to pick up your first e-reader or are looking to upgrade from an older model.

The DanYee Cat 7 Ethernet cable is the perfect Ethernet cable for your PlayStation 4. While the category doesn't make a huge difference, the braided cord means it's durable and it should last you the life of your console.

The Samsung Galaxy S10 has arrived and with it a huge wave of new accessories for Samsung's latest flagships. From cases to chargers to mounts, grips, screen protectors, headphones, and more, there's a whole galaxy of accessories to explore, and as season Galaxy travelers, we've got the low-down on which gear deserves to be a part of your Galaxy S10's all-star team-up!

Everyone's favorite battle royale finally supports Bluetooth controllers on mobile. This has been a long time coming for Fortnite, and you'll likely want the best possible controller to get your game on. You shouldn't look any further than the SteelSeries Stratus XL.

Lacking any protective layer, the screen on the Galaxy J8 is particularly vulnerable to breaking during a tumble. The first thing you should do after buying the device is pick up the PULEN 2.5D Glass Tempered Glass Film. It takes just a few minutes to install the screen protector thanks to the bubble-free design, and the 9H rating offers great protection against tumbles.

The Moment Photo Case is well-known for a reason. On its own, it's a slim and stylish case that fits on most popular phones, but with the addition of Moment's high-quality interchangeable lenses, you can turn your phone into a much more versatile camera with options for wide angle, telephoto, macro, and even anamorphic lenses.

The ASUS Chromebox 3 is the best Chromebox you can buy. Available in several configurations, all models feature a true M.2 SATA SSD for years of worry-free storage and upgradability should you need it.

When looking at Samsung's range of wearables, for most, the Gear Fit2 Pro is its best overall. This slim-screened companion checks all of the boxes for fitness tracking, with the sensors and software capable of following everything from your everyday movements to running, gym workouts, and swimming.

The GameSir T1d looks like a regular Bluetooth controller, but it has been customized to work only with the Tello for the best possible experience. If you're using an Android phone, it's the one you need to buy.

Oculus Go headsets are a great way to isolate yourself from the world to immerse yourself a movie, game, or other content. But, say you want to share your gameplay with someone else at your house. You're never going to strap two heads inside of a VR headset, but there's a better way with the Chromecast Ultra.

The SteelSeries Stratus XL is the perfect gamepad to use with your Oculus Go. It's comfortable and extremely familiar in style. If you're looking for a little more control when it comes to your virtual reality (VR) gaming then you want this gamepad!

With all the time I have spent with the Commodore 64 Mini, I am well aware of the shortcomings of its controller. It's bulky, awkward, and takes away from an otherwise awesome gaming experience. I looked into some other controller options to see what would actually work with this killer little retro system. This is what I came up with.

The Anker Dual USB Wall Charger provides not one, but two capable USB ports for powering the PlayStation Classic. That means you can have your game going and maybe even charge your smartphone at the same time.

The Bose SoundSport Wireless headphones feature a winning combination of amazing sound and great battery life. The IPX4 rating means they're protected against sweat and water, and while the $149 price isn't cheap, you really do get what you pay for.

VICSOME True Wireless are currently the best headphones you're going to find for your Oculus Go. From the noise-canceling abilities to their ability to seem like they're not even there, these are the perfect fit for the best immersive experience for your virtual reality adventures.

The ExpertPower 20,000mAh portable charger is the best battery you can get under $20 right now because of its large capacity. You get three USB ports to charge from, and the large capacity will mean you can go a few days without needing to charge the battery itself.

The GGMM D6 is hands down the best speaker you can add to an Echo Dot to create a compelling audio experience. Not only does this 20W speaker get plenty loud, but it can tuck away cleanly so as not to distract from your home decor. If your goal is high audio quality without taking up a lot of space, this is the speaker for you.

Connected Home

There are so many different smart security cameras that your head could be left spinning while trying to find the best option. However, Arlo has been a player in the game for quite some time and has the following to back it up. With consistent updates and some of the best features, you would be hard-pressed to find a better option. With that being said, the Arlo Pro 2 is our favorite camera thanks to having all the bells and whistles one could want, without having to sacrifice anything to keep your home secure.

Ring makes some of the most popular video doorbells on the market. Most of them can operate off of a battery or low voltage wiring, and they all allow you to keep an eye on your home, even when you're not there. You get motion alerts when someone is near your door, and you can talk to them with two-way audio. The Ring Video Doorbell Pro is the best choice for most people, but your options largely depend on your home and particular security needs.

There are so many different smart TVs on the market, and Samsung is one of the best in the business as evidenced by the NU8000 Premium Smart TV. This TV gives you everything you could want in a smart TV while offering so much more. Of course, there are other options and just about one for any kind of person.

You're not always going to be in the room that houses your thermostat. For some homes, that can mean a pretty substantial difference in temperature in every season. There's a fix for this common problem, though: smart thermostats with multiple zoning like our favorite the Ecobee 4. Being able to set the temperature where you are instead of where the thermostat is can be a lifesaver. We've rounded up the best of them for 2019.

The Nest Learning Thermostat observes how you adjust the temperature depending on factors like the time of day and outside temperature, and automatically creates a heating and cooling schedule for your convenience. It saves on energy bills and looks great doing it.

There are so many different TVs out there in the stratosphere, but largely, Samsung is the industry leader. The company makes fantastic options such as the Samsung Q90R which not only has a 4K OLED display, but all of the smart TV functionality one could want, including Bixby. Then, there are others such as the Samsung Q900 which is the epitome of future-proofing your TV viewing experience for years. Nonetheless, Samsung makes a TV for every situation and every budget, and here are the best.

The ecobee4 Smart Thermostat is your best option if you want a thermostat that integrates with Alexa. It includes a room sensor to better learn your environment, and Alexa is built right in so you don't need an Amazon Echo to use this with your voice. The thermostat's design will also look great on your wall.

The Ring Alarm is the best DIY home security system for renters because it offers everything needed to keep your home safe at a competitive price and the optional $10 monthly monitoring is the best value.

Out of LIFX's selection of smart light bulbs, the LIFX Plus is the best option for those looking to buy. It not only provides smart controls and a wide range of colors but it has infrared to aid in night vision for any security cameras you might have.

The GGMM D6 is hands down the best speaker you can add to an Echo Dot to create a compelling audio experience. Not only does this 20W speaker get plenty loud, but it can tuck away cleanly so as not to distract from your home decor. If your goal is high audio quality without taking up a lot of space, this is the speaker for you.

PlayStation 4

When you're looking for an awesome 4K TV for your PlayStation 4 Pro you need to be looking for a few specific features: excellent screen quality, high dynamic range (HDR), and a good price. The LG ThinQ OLED ticks all of these boxes and then gives you lots more smart functionality thrown in for good measure.

Mortal Kombat 11 is right around the corner, and a lot of gamers are curious about fight sticks. Fight sticks are dedicated hardware which include two rows of buttons and a joystick. They're essentially what you find at an arcade, but with some modifications. If you prefer to use them when you're playing fighting games, we have a great recommendation. It's called the Mayflash F300 Arcade Fight Stick.

The DanYee Cat 7 Ethernet cable is the perfect Ethernet cable for your PlayStation 4. While the category doesn't make a huge difference, the braided cord means it's durable and it should last you the life of your console.

The Anker Dual USB Wall Charger provides not one, but two capable USB ports for powering the PlayStation Classic. That means you can have your game going and maybe even charge your smartphone at the same time.

Headphones

Google bundles a pair of USB-C earbuds in the box with every Pixel 3 and 3 XL purchase, and the sound quality on offer is pretty decent, all things considered. However, if you're looking for something with a bit more oomph, the Libratone Q Adapt would be our recommendation.

The Bose SoundSport Wireless headphones feature a winning combination of amazing sound and great battery life. The IPX4 rating means they're protected against sweat and water, and while the $149 price isn't cheap, you really do get what you pay for.

The Lenovo Chromebook 500e is a great educational device. It's cheap and offers robust software experiences and access to school services. It's easy to manage and use, versatile and attractive and comes with a stylus for taking notes. It's the best of all worlds for a student.

The ASUS Chromebox 3 is the best Chromebox you can buy. Available in several configurations, all models feature a true M.2 SATA SSD for years of worry-free storage and upgradability should you need it.